As a result of ongoing
reporting issues with our testing vendor, we will be removing student
consequences attached to STAAR testing for grades 5 and 8 for the remainder of
the 2015-16 assessment cycle.
We are also modifying the requirements for SSI and the reporting requirements
for Confidential Student Reports (CSR).

The decisions outlined in
this communication are based on TEA’s commitment to our districts and students,
and with the priority of ensuring that those affected are not penalized due to our
ongoing vendor reporting issues.

Cancellation of June STAAR
Testing for Grades 5 and 8

Given that June STAAR test
results will not be required to be used for promotion decisions for SSI
purposes and are not used for accountability, I am cancelling the June administration
of STAAR for grades 5 and 8.

Students in grades 5 and 8
who did not perform satisfactorily on the March 2016 or May 2016 STAAR
mathematics and/or reading tests will not be retested in June. We
encourage districts to use local discretion to determine on an individual basis
whether accelerated instruction should be offered in the applicable subject
area for students who did not pass the mathematics and/or reading assessments
in March and/or May. For the 2015–2016 school year, districts are not
required to convene grade placement committees based solely on grade 5 and 8
STAAR results. Instead, you should use local
discretion and all relevant and available academic information to make
promotion/retention decisions for these students as you see fit, such as the
recommendation of the teacher and the student’s grade in each subject.

Confidential Student
Report (CSR) Guidance

Given delays in reporting,
TEA is altering the start of the five-day timeline for sending CSRs to
families. CSRs must still be distributed to families within five days, once
reporting issues are resolved and final data files are provided to school
districts.

TEA is moving as fast as
possible to address any reporting concerns that are being identified. Expect
further communication regarding revised timelines around score reporting for
grades 3-8 and EOCs, and data file distribution in the coming days. If you need
more information, please contact the Student Assessment Division at
512-463-9536.

I deeply apologize for the
continuing problems your students and staff are being forced to deal with
because of ongoing reporting issues with our testing vendor.